Spinal brace



Nov. 28, 1939.

w. L. BELL SPINAL BRACE Filed Feb. 10. 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 2.

INVENTOR WILLIAM L. BELL ATTORNEY W. L. BELL SPINAL BRACE Nov. 28, 1939.

Filed Feb. 10, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR: WILLIAM L. BELL WZ ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 28, 1939 UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFIQE 2,181,689 SPINAL BRACE william L. Bell, Oakland, oelir- Application February 10, 1936, Serial No. 63,052 Claims. (Cl. 128-78) This invention relates to improvements in that it is not limited to this specific form because Spinal aces and more particularly to spinal it may be embodied in modifications within the bridges. purview of the claims following the description.

An object of the invention is to apply correc- In the two sheets of drawings: 5 tive forces to the lumbar region of the human 1 is Side V w Of the invention as p 5 spine to assist in maintaining the normal anterot0 he human b y posterior equilibrium of the body Fig. 2 is an enlarged diagrammatic detail View Another object is to reinforce the supporting of the same in vertical section, showing in dotted power of the spine without interfering with its l s h positions f the p a a d abdominal normal articulated freedom of motion. region i relation to the pp r 10 Another object is to accomplish and maintain Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail in front elevation of the natural longitudinal alinement of the spinal t b o na p vertebrae without unduly limiting freedom of F 4 i a rear elevation of the pin bridge,

spinal motion and respiration. with the covering partially removed to disclose A further object is to bridge the curve of the he inner Structure.

lumbar segment of the spine from the sacrum g- 5 i a ve l sec o of the sa e. to the dorsal segment. Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic plan view from above Other objects and advantages will appear as indicating the clearance between the. bridge and the description progresses. the back of the wearer- This invention should n t be confused ith th In detail the construction illustrated in the corset type of brace and those corrective means drawings, referring first to Fi 4, Comprises e which enclose the body and indirectly holdthe- Vertical lumbar b e x e d r m t spine in an arbitrary position with a limited saerum A a e b end p d to the dorsal freedom of action. region B at the upper end 3. This bridge is pref- The three point contact of the present invenerably co p aluminum alley or y s 25 tion, touches the spine at the sacral and the able materiel that W combine e qu ed dorsal areas and the frontal abdominal region. fl xi e s n h w h m l W h and k- Between these separated points the spine has Th s b dge |-2--3 is curved inwardly t three degrees of freedom: forward, backward, 0111? its length, W a radius Slightly greater n lateral and rotational. The sacral base contact the Curve of the lumber Segment C of the spine. 30 resiliently tips the sacrum upward and backward, T e p v l plates 4 and 5 are hinged at 5 d 1 by means of the leverage exerted between it and to the respective en s 2 and 3 0f the b e the dorsal and abdominal contacts. Thus flexing Thecushion pads 8 and 9 are removably attached the lumbar region rearwardly automatically into their respective plates 4 and 5. The pads are 3 clines the head backwardly, which flexes the 4 composed of block felt or any other suitable matedorsal region forwardly, pulls the chin back and rial and are easily'removable as required. These throws the whole spinal column more in line with pads conform to the angles of the spine and the the natural center of gravity, from the head to hinges 6 and 1 permit the necessary free back the ankles of the skeletal frame. This effect cand forward movements of the spine, The 40 not be acc mp e y any form of brace which greater radius of the bridge leaves the space 0', 40 renders any given section of the spine immobile. See Fig 2 to clear t Spinal processes on th Balance must be maintained in both the dynamic intervening vertebrae, as the Spine bends or and static state. Proper alinement of the spinal rotates between the points A and vertebrae insures a more uniform distribution of The bridge I has the lateral extensions m and 5 Welght on the mtervertebml dlscs msurmg H which form in effect a cross brace about equal greater static stability, dynamic flexibility and in length to the length of the bridge l and adapted nerve freedom.

The present invention reduces fatigue in action to extend laterally acrossthe small of the back by bridging the curve in the lumbar segment and beneath the Y1bs- Cross brace rigidly transmitting the strain from the dorsal region atta d o the bridge l e e substituted for 50 directly to the posterior surface of the sacrum, the extemlons and H 1f desnedv These particularly indicated in sway back. tensions curve inwardly, but stand away from the In this specification and th accompanying back of the wearer to permit free flexing of the drawings the invention is disclosed in its preextensions l0 and II without side compression ferred form. It is to be understood, however, of the abdominal walls and also permit free re- 55 spiratory space and ventilation between the brace and the body of the wearer, see Fig. 6.

The whole metallic body of the brace is en closed within a sheath l2 of suitable fabric, such as canvas, cut to the outline and stitched around the margins. The pockets enclosing the pad portions at 8 and 9 have the loose flaps l3 and M respectively, adapted to be tucked beneath the cross portion [2' not being worn these flaps can be withdrawn to permit ventilation to dry out the pads.

The sheath has the three straps I 5, I6 and I1 stitched thereto and extending across the back and beyond the These straps engage the buckles I8, I9, 20, 2!, 22 and 23 respectively, of the abdominal pad 24 to form a belt encircling the wearer.

This abdominal flexible strips such as 25, to prevent the pad wrinkling horizontally. This pad lies over the umbilical region and may have the lower extene sion 26 adapted to extend under the curve of the abdomen to act as an abdominal support where such necessity is indicated. This pad 24 is the third point or apex D of a triangle having its base at AB, forming a three point suspension permitting the three degrees of freedom of motion of the wearer as previously mentioned.

This invention is not a mechanical substitute for the human spine, as in the case of corsets, plaster casts and the like. It is a bridge for the fundamentally weak'lumbar segment 0, with stresses applied from A B to D, to scientifically urge proper posture in active persons engaged in the regular pursuit of productive living, sports, automobile driving or sitting for long periods. It is equally restful to a tired person sleeping or reclining by relieving the wedging action against the intervertebral discs, present in any prolonged hyper curvature of the since such distortion of stances causes traumatism in the complicated nerve areas adjacent the vertebrae.

The lateral extensions I 0 and H make it possibleto reduce the overhang of a large abdomen of the sheath, see Fig. 5. When extensions [0 and H, see Fig. 1.

see also Fig. 3, at the sides pad 24 is formed of fabric sim; ilar to the sheath I 2 and is reinforced by the the discs in many in- Ill and H, see Fig. 6. The strains of an excessive abdominal overhang aggravate the lumbar curve. In the present instance this load is transferred to the strut bridge I and is borne by it from A to B, see Fig. Thus retracting the abdomen contributes to a more normal center of gravity in the posture of the wearer and a more unu'orm distribution of muscular stresses in maintaining equilibrium.

Having thus described this invention, what is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent is: 1. A spinal brace including a bridge having lateral extensions intermediate its ends, the upper ,and lower. ends of said bridge being arranged to engage the spine at the dorsal and the sacral wregions; respectively; and an abdominal belt atextensions of said bridge.

tached to the lateral including a bridge adapted 2. A' spinal brace respectively; and an abto the side extensions of segment of thespine dominal belt attached said bridge. a

4. A spinal brace including a bridge; hinge members on the oppositeends of said bridge; pads having their central portions attached to said hinge members respectively; and an abdominal of the bridge respectively; and an abdominal belt attached to said bridge intermediate its ends.

WILLIAM L. BELL. 

